Retinal array compound camera system having at least three imaging sensors

• US 8,334,903 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2007
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VI Technologies, LLC (VI GP LLC (f/k/a M7 Visual Intelligence GP LLC))
• Original Assignee: Visual Intelligence LP (f/k/a M7 Visual Intelligence LP) (VI GP LLC (f/k/a M7 Visual Intelligence GP LLC))
• Inventors: Peters, Leo J. III, Smitherman, Chester L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALLEN C
• Application Number:
  US11/805,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20080291280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,037 Days
• Field of Search: 348/48, 348/50, 348/143, 348/144, 348/159, 348/145, 348/146, 244/1.R
• US Class Current: 348/144
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/025 by scanning the object
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

The present invention provides a camera system having a compound array of imaging sensors disposed in a retinal configuration. The system comprises a concave housing. A first imaging sensor is centrally disposed along the housing. A second imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor. The focal axis of the second imaging sensor intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within an intersection area. A third imaging sensor is disposed along the housing, adjacent to the first imaging sensor opposite the second imaging sensor. The third imaging sensor has a focal axis that intersects with the focal axis of the first imaging sensor within the intersection area.

Claims

1. A system for producing an image of a target viewed through a housing aperture, comprising:

a housing;

a first imaging sensor, centrally coupled to the housing having a first focal axis passing through the aperture;

a second imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along an array axis in a cross track, cross-eyed fashion, having a second focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting the first focal axis within an intersection area; and

a third imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along the array axis, opposite the second imaging sensor, having a third focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting the first focal axis within the intersection area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the axis is linear.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the axis is a concave curvilinear axis.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the intersection area is offset from the aperture.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the aperture comprises a void.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the aperture comprises an optical element.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein all imaging sensors are of similar size and shape.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors are of varied size and shape.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors are permanently coupled in a fixed position to the housing.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors are coupled to the housing by manually adjustable attachments.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors are coupled to the housing by electro-mechanically adjustable attachments.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors comprise cameras.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors comprise infrared sensors.

14. A system for producing an image of a target viewed through a housing aperture, comprising:

a housing;

a first imaging sensor, centrally coupled to the housing having a first focal axis passing through the aperture;

a second imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along an array axis in a cross-eyed fashion, having a second focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting the first focal axis within an intersection area;

a third imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along the array axis, opposite the second imaging sensor, having a third focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting the first focal axis within the intersection area;

a fourth imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor, having a fourth focal axis passing through the aperture; and

a fifth imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first and fourth imaging sensors along a second axis, formed by the fourth and fifth imaging sensors and disposed proximally parallel to the axis, having a fifth focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting with the fourth focal axis within a second intersection area.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second intersection areas are offset from one another.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second intersection areas coincide.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first and second intersection areas coincide orthogonally to the first imaging sensor.

18. A system for producing an image of a target viewed through a housing aperture, comprising:

a housing;

a first imaging sensor, centrally coupled to the housing having a first focal axis passing through the aperture;

a second imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along an array axis n a cross-eyed fashion, having a second focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting the first focal axis within an intersection area; and

a third imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along the array axis, opposite the second imaging sensor, having a third focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting the first focal axis within the intersection area;

a fourth imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along a second axis, substantially perpendicular to the axis, having a fourth focal axis passing through the aperture; and

a fifth imaging sensor, coupled to the housing and offset from the first imaging sensor along the second axis, opposite the fourth imaging sensor, having a fifth focal axis passing through the aperture and intersecting with the fourth focal axis within a second intersection area.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the imaging sensors comprise cameras.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the imaging sensors comprise infrared sensors.